Frequently Asked Questions

The only eligibility requirement to attend our course is the requirements set forth by the certification company, NCCCO. NCCCO guidelines state that you must:

• Be at least 18 years of age
• Meet all medical requirements
• Comply with NCCCO’s Substance Abuse Policy (https://www.nccco.org/retired-pages/old-certification-policy-redirects/substance-abuse-policy)
• Comply with NCCCO’s Code of Ethics (https://www.nccco.org/retired-pages/old-certification-policy-redirects/code-of-ethics)

No, you do not need a high school diploma or college degree to attend American Crane School. The only eligibility requirements to attend our course is that set forth by the certification company, NCCCO. NCCCO guidelines state that you must:

• Be at least 18 years of age
• Meet all medical requirements
• Comply with NCCCO’s Substance Abuse Policy (https://www.nccco.org/retired-pages/old-certification-policy-redirects/substance-abuse-policy)
• Comply with NCCCO’s Code of Ethics (https://www.nccco.org/retired-pages/old-certification-policy-redirects/code-of-ethics)

You will need to declare that you have taken a physical exam and passed a drug test when you sign your NCCCO application. Proof of physical exam and drug test will not be collected.

You may reserve your spot in one our classes by completing our short enrollment application and submitting the non-refundable deposit upon completion. To get started, give us a call at 888-957-7277.

Once you begin the sign-up process and enter the prompted password, you will see all upcoming classes per location. Our enrollment system will automatically close out dates if the class is full or the deadline has passed. To get a password unique to your crane operator certification needs and continue with the signup process, give us a call us at 888-957-7277.

You can sign up directly through our website by clicking the red “Sign Up” button at the top of your screen. Additionally, you may call or text us at 888-957-7277 to begin your enrollment process! We have dedicated enrollment specialists standing by to help answer any questions or concerns you have along the way. From application to certification, we’re with you every step of the way! Call today at 888-967-7277 or pass@californiacraneschool.com

We offer payment installments through PayPal Pay Later or our in-house financing option.

PayPal Pay Later.
This option requires a debit/credit card or bank account number as well as a soft credit check, but allows the student to sign up without putting anything down (although some interest rates may apply.) Please contact our office and a link will be provided to you.

In-house Financing.
Students can make a $500 non-refundable deposit upon sign up and the remaining balance can be paid in installments, however the balance must be paid off two weeks prior to the first day of class.

For more information please call our office at 888-957-7277.

A small non-refundable deposit in the amount of $500 will be due at the time of sign up. The remaining course fees will be due two (2) weeks before the first day of class. Additionally, students may call in to make payments before the start of class. Employers who send one or more of their employees to ACS’s crane operator certification course will be set up on a Net 15 billing cycle.

We are not able to accept the GI Bill at this time, however, we do provide a $100 military discount. In addition, NCCCO offers certification fee reimbursements through the GI Bill. You can find this information here – https://www.nccco.org/nccco/resources/military-personnel/certification-fees-reimbursement.

The only eligibility candidates must meet in order to take the American Crane School course and the NCCCO exams administered during the course, are the eligibility requirements set forth by NCCCO. This includes:

• Be at least 18 years of age
• Meet all medical requirements
• Comply with NCCCO’s Substance Abuse Policy (https://www.nccco.org/retired-pages/old-certification-policy-redirects/substance-abuse-policy)
• Comply with NCCCO’s Code of Ethics (https://www.nccco.org/retired-pages/old-certification-policy-redirects/code-of-ethics)

Private classes can be a great option for companies looking to certify more than eight students all while saving time and money in the process. To get a FREE private class quote, begin by filling out our private class request https://americancraneschool.com/crane-training/host-a-private-class/. If you have any questions please call us at (888) 967-PASS (7277).

The employer is responsible for paying for their employee’s crane operator certification fees according to OSHA Final Rule. “1926.1427(c)(3): No cost to employees. Whenever operator certification/licensure is required under this section, the employer must provide the certification/licensure at no cost to employees.”

Yes, you can still attend American Crane School’s NCCCO Crane Operator Certification course even if you have a DUI on your record. However, some employers may require a clean driving record as part of their employment process.

Sometimes the less a candidate knows about cranes the better they will do on the written tests. The reason for this is; candidates that have been operating cranes for years learned things a different way than the books want them to do it. This makes it more difficult for them to unlearn their ways and learn to do it by the book. This is what they are tested on with the crane certification exams.

If you have never operated a crane before we probably could not turn you into a super duper crane operator in 3 days. However, if you need to get certified, you come to the right place. If a candidate can add, subtract, and speaks English, we can easily get them passed the written tests the first time. If the candidate speaks English as a second language, we can also make it happen as we have done for hundreds of English as second language candidates.

As far as the practical exams go, if a candidate knows how to stop the load or hook from swinging, with a few pointers they can typically pass the practical exams. If not, they need to get some time on a crane. If no cranes are available to the candidate, our cranes are available at a cost of $100 per hour with an instructor. We can typically get a candidate who has never been on a crane through the practical test in less than 2 hours to pass the practical exams. This class is never meant to replace years of experience in the field or an 8400 hour apprenticeship program. The purpose of this program is to get that certification card in your pocket. California Crane School does not write the standards of what a crane operator should know, we are just the most effective program that gets candidates to meet the certification requirements.

No, you do not need a driver’s license to attend American Crane School’s crane operator certification program. However, your current or future employer may require that you have a valid driver’s license as part of their employment process.

Mobile cranes are the most commonly used across construction sites. A variety of industries across the United States, and internationally, use mobile cranes such as utility, oil & drilling, tree services, crane services, and many more.

The testing company typically takes 2 – 3 weeks to send the candidates the results of their written tests and about 3 – 5 weeks to send candidates the results of their practical tests. If your results have not come in by that time you should call International Assessment Institute (IAI) at (727) 449-8525.

No. For instance if a candidate was to fail 1 specialty written test, the testing company would charge the candidate $65 to retest. It the candidate was to fail any other specialty exams, the testing company would charge $10 for each additional exam, and if the candidate was to fail the core test, the testing company would charge $165. American Crane School does not charge for any candidates who come back for retesting to attend the class or to sit in on the written test. If the candidate was to fail a practical exam, American Crane School charges $250 to retest; this price includes the testing fees to IAI the testing company.

Candidates must be signed up 2 weeks in advance to take the written tests. Or the testing company International Assessment Institute (IAI) will charge a $50 late fee (no proceeds from late or incomplete fees go to American Crane School). Candidates must be signed up for the written tests at least one week in advance or the IAI will no allow them to test. Candidate wishing to take only the practical exam can call American Crane School at (800) 496-3648 and schedule this at any time. All crane certification paperwork including candidate’s photo is done on site.

An independent contractor hired by International Assessment Institute (IAI) administers the written tests, and an accredited practical examiner administrates the practical exams.

(Poor Mans Crane Training)

Step 1
Get a pole approximately 8’ long

Step 2
Tie a string approximately 4’ long to the end of the pole

Step 3
Tie a heavy nut or bolt at the end of the string.

Step 5
Put the end of the pole on the ground and practice swinging it around until you learn the concept of how a crane operates and controlling the load.

This may sound strange and you might look stupid doing it so don’t let anyone see you they might laugh at you. But it works.

Yes! American Crane School does not set the standards we are simply the ones that get you to meet them. Once you are certified you have met the minimum requirement, however this does not mean that you are a super duper crane operator.

Example of Grove 18 ton crane:

Example of Larger 1,200 ton crane:

This is a difficult question to answer. We have seen crane operators knock over a lot of things with fast times and pass. And we have seen crane operators not knock anything over but take too long and fail. There if a balance. The best thing to do is stay within the time limits (try not to knock anything over.)

If the load starts to go into a circular motion stop one movement at a time first the side to side motion, second it will only swing in and out, than you can stop the back and fourth motion by lowering and raising the boom.

Most candidates just want to practice playing with the practical exam test course or putting the headache ball into the barrels. This could help you if you have already mastered the 5-gallon bucket of water trick. But if you haven’t learned how to control the load this is a waste of time.

For fastest results this is it:

Step 1
Get a 5-gallon bucket

Step 2
Hang the bucket on the hook (the crane should be reeved with a single part line)

Step 3
Fill the bucket almost to the top with water.

Step 4
Practice swinging the crane left and right until you can use half throttle and the swing function or lever is fully engaged. Than bring it to a complete stop without spilling the water or setting it on the down.

Step 5
Practice lowering and raising the boom until you can use half throttle and the swing function or lever is fully engaged. Than bring it to a complete stop without spilling the water or setting it on the down.

Step 6
Combine step 4 and 5 until you can use both of the functions simultaneously without spilling the water.

Again like in task 1 and 3 you must know how to control the load. There are point deductions for everything you knock over, if the load touches the ground, if the 3′ chain attached to the bottom of the test weight leaves the ground, and if you go over your optimum time,

Hint 1
If you are not an experienced crane operator ar you are not familiar with the crane don’t show everyone how cool you are using all of the cranes functions at the same time. Use 1 function at a time but don’t let the load stand still, keep the load under control and moving through the course. There is plenty of time if you can control the load and this 1 function at a time method is used. (This will ensure that because you might be nervous you do not grab for the wrong function)

Hint 2
When you are on the way out of the course on task 4B do not get nervous at the end. Many times crane operators get nervous at the very end of the crane practical exam test course and mess up what could have otherwise been a good run.

Hint 3
Its understandable that you are nervous.

If you loose control of the load:

Stop
Think
Act

do not immediately react or you might just make it worse.

This will ensure crane safety and successful completion of your crane practical examination.

(optimum time 3:00 each way swing cab telescopic boom crane)
(optimum time 4:00 each way fixed cab telescopic boom crane)

First you must know how to control the headache ball (overhaul ball). Swing from the start circle to the stop circle, when you have the headache ball under control, don’t stop and stare at it, drop it down in the circle without letting the headache ball (overhaul ball) and chain make any contact with the test course, and without letting the hook make contact with the ground. Keep in mind, the clock is ticking.

Hint 1
When practicing try to remember the boom angle of where the stop circle was located.

Hint 2
Keep in mind, the clock is ticking.

(optimum time 1:30)

Like in task 1, you must know how to control the headache ball (overhaul ball). Swing from the start circle to barrel number 1 (when you have the headache ball under control, don’t stop and stare at it, drop it down into the barrel where the white stripe on the ball goes below the rim of the barrel without knocking the barrel over or moving the barrel more than 2″ (it is ok if the hook or headache ball make contact with the barrel) than when you are given the signal, proceed to barrel number 2 and do the same thing your time will stop when the headache ball is removed from barrel number 2…

Hint 1
when practicing try to remember the boom angle of where the barrels were located.

Hint 2
Keep in mind, the clock is ticking.

(optimum time 3:30)

Since most of the practical exams require that a crane boom lengths be set to 70% – 75% for testing, we use the smallest cranes possible to meet the requirement. It makes the test easier. All of our cranes are Cal-OSHA certified and are used only for practical testing.

You should familiarize with all of the crane hand signals but the ones that will be the most important for the practical exam are:

(this task is not timed)